AIBU to be upset that dentist took the wrong tooth out?

[AllDirections]

Just had a horrible experience with DD2 (13) at the dentist. She was due to have 4 baby teeth removed on one side and then another 4 on the other side in a few weeks time. The dentist came into the room and didn't even know what we there for until he spoke to his assistant. He then suggested that he take all 8 teeth out which we agreed to.

DD2 had lots of injections and then he started removing teeth. I stopped him a couple of times when she obviously in severe pain and he gave her more injections. The whole thing was very traumatic, DD2 was distraught and the dentist refused to continue at one point and gave us 5 minutes alone. She nearly threw up (which has happened before) and then he carried on but he took out a tooth that the orthodontist wanted leaving in as the big tooth underneath is no good.

His rather arrogant attitude changed immediately and I could see the panic in his face. He asked if we wanted him to continue which of course we did otherwise DD2 would have had to go through it all again. He got his assistant to come back in and rechecked which teeth he still needed to remove. He mentioned to her that there would be no point trying to reimplant the tooth.

When it was over he kept asking if I wanted to talk about his mistake or make an appointment to talk about it or let the orthodontist deal with it. I just wanted to get D2 out of there so I said to let the orthodontist sort it out later. If he'd had a nice attitude throughout then I wouldn't be quite so upset but I think his arrogant manner and his lack of attention to detail caused his mistake. I'm really shaken up by watching what DD2 just went through so I'm not thinking clearly. I don't know whether to leave it or to make a complaint and I don't know who to complain to!

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

Think I've been cross posting madly with wabbity and lemon!

Hope your DD feels better soon

[AllDirections]

Baby teeth at 12 are hanging on by a thread usually, aren't they?

Usually yes, but not in DD2's case which is the whole problem with her teeth. That baby tooth that shouldn't have been taken out was massive as were some of the others that were removed.

When she got her first two adult teeth (top 2 at the front) they grew fully and loosened the baby teeth. But the baby teeth still wouldn't fall out. They ended up horizontal and she had to have them removed when she hadn't been able to close her mouth for a week. 5 injections that time and that's when she actually did throw up

[edamsavestheday]

Poor dd! What an awful experience for all of you. I'm glad Beck and Call has explained the NHS procedures.

Baby teeth may well normally fall out but in some people, as you can see by this thread, it's more complicated. My sister still has one 'baby tooth' and she's now 40.

At any rate, the dentist should not have removed any individual tooth that was not planned without a good reason. He should have explained why he was changing the plan to take all eight out there and then, and what the benefit was, and what any risks were. She should not have been in pain. The whole saga seems full of errors and stages where things went wrong.

I'm sorry it's all been so traumatic and that the dentist was so irresponsible. Do please make a formal complaint - at any rate, write everything down now while it's fresh in your mind. Dd may possibly need further treatment so it needs to be clear what went wrong.

[LemonSquares]

That baby tooth that shouldn't have been taken out was massive as were some of the others that were removed.

DD1 one that was sinking and taken out was massive - dentist explained that normally when baby teeth fall out naturally the roots sort of dissolve/reabsorb so they look much smaller - and this one looked massive as that hadn't happened yet as we couldn't wait - if it had gone further it would have been a major op with full knock out aesthetic in hospital setting .

It did look huge compared to one that fell out.

[AllDirections]

Thanks everyone, it seems that a lot of things don't add up so I'm going to start writing a list of questions to clarify why they didn't xray sooner, exactly what the toothpaste was for, why it was recommended that the baby tooth stay in, etc.

It won't change the fact that the dentist removed the wrong tooth. He knew immediately that he'd made a big mistake.

As for the pain, when I stopped the dentist trying to remove a tooth until DD2 had had more pain relief he said that usually the injections go in near the tooth for baby teeth and are more direct for adult teeth (or something like that). But he knew that DD2's baby teeth were solid so he should have allowed for this or at least expected it.

[PunkHedgehog]

I agree with Gobbolino that you need to sort out all the facts before making a complaint, so spend some time gathering all the details.

First write down everything you can remember yourself.

Then make an appointment with the orthodontist to check what should have happened, for DDs teeth to be checked over to see what they think did happen, and to talk you through the options for fixing it/what changes are needed to the treatment plan now that tooth has gone.

Then arrange a meeting with the dentist to get their account of what happened and why.

You'll then be in a position to know exactly what you are complaining about (yes, it could just be an inattentive dentist, but it's possible there were other factors as well, such as the instructions from the orthodontist weren't clear), and to have an idea of what you want to happen as a result of the complaint (work to put it right, referral to someone else to put it right, assurance that extra training or new procedures are being organised to ensure it doesn't happen again etc).

[isabellavine]

Fabulous - I don't think that's the definition of 'never event'. I am not an expert but my understanding is that it has to be more serious than a deviation from planned work - with a risk of causing severe harm or death.

But that does not mean that the OP shouldn't complain to the practice manager (initially). Not sure who it goes to next - the Ombudsman?

[AllDirections]

Lemon The teeth were most definitely different sizes. A few looked like normal baby teeth and the others were humongous. We've got the teeth but I'm still too traumatised to open the package and look at them. I'll have a look later.

[whois]

So sorry your DD went through this. You are absolutely not BU to make a complaint!

Rubbish DD was in so much pain also - with the advent of modern dental practice there is no need to inflict pain. Just lazy and rushing.

[AllDirections]

I'll phone the orthodontist tomorrow and either make an appointment or get them to send me the plan so we can get DD2's teeth checked at another dentist. I want to make sure that the rest of the work was carried out according to the plan, i.e. have all the correct teeth been removed?

[AllDirections]

whois I did get the impression that the dentist was in a hurry. I think he came in expecting to do a quick filling or remove a tooth. But then I don't know why he suggested taking out all 8 teeth. Maybe if he'd read the notes and been prepared he would have known that these weren't normal baby teeth and that it might take more time to remove them.

[sonlypuppyfat]

I've always gone to the dentist religiously but just lately I've stopped going I just don't trust them.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

all - it's up to you, but I would go to the orthodontist first and then decide what to do. I wouldn't go to another dentist with just a copy of the ortho's treatment plan

I quite understand why you are upset etc but something is just not quite adding up here factually so you need to get that 100% clear before you go somewhere else or they are then limited when assessing the situation

I would also meet with the dentist to to discuss matters once you have met with the orthodontist.

That means you are 100% in possession of the facts before you go elsewhere, if needs be. Because, from what I can work out from DH, another dentist giving a second opinion is going to be very if they're told that your previous dentist (or was it the orthodontist?) has prescribed fluoride toothpaste on a preventative basis as they ostensibly couldn't work out if there were adult teeth present or not when an X-ray would tell them that. Or that the orthodontist was apparently trying to retain a baby tooth.

They're going to be confused and might, perhaps, please dint take this the wrong way think you're confused. However, if you've checked with the dentist and the orthodontist you can explain their reasoning (whatever it is)

[dietcokefan]

My husband has just lost his last baby tooth. He is 45. So they can hang around!

[AllDirections]

I've just made an appointment to see the orthodontist on Thursday. Thanks everyone for your advice and support.

[whiteblossom]

op I totally sympathise. This happened to me when I was your daughters age. It had a huge impact on my view on dentist's- I no longer trusted them and once I turned 16 refused to go. I was 21 went I realised that I had to as half a tooth fell out! I had a dentist recommended and I was petrified- I had to be sedated (this is when is was still legal to do so)...anyways you need to restore your dd faith in the profession and assure her that not all dentists are like that. She also needs to know that going to the dentist is not always going to be so traumatic and that it was a one off.

My dm at the time simply said mistakes happen and he's only human...if that had been my ds Ive have throttled the dentist but then I know the impact its had on my life.

As a result of my fear, Ive developed tooth ache/jaw/face pain as a response to stress which feeds into my fear of needing treatment which then makes the pain worse! It took three years to get to the bottom of what was happening and why. It all stems from that one day.

I hope your dd recovers well my heart goes out to her x

[MyDogEatsBalloons]

My husband has just lost his last baby tooth. He is 45. So they can hang around!

My mum's still got one, and she's 76! I think it's a genetic trait though.

OP - your poor daughter - it sounds like she was so brave.

[AllDirections]

I've looked at the teeth and put a picture on my profile. Don't look if you're squeamish. There are only 7 teeth so who knows where the other 2 are. They were flying everywhere and some had to be picked up off the floor.

Extracted teeth

[Mrsmorton]

Primary teeth are never re implanted, it doesn't work like it does for adult teeth.

This is all very confusing tbh. Either they know the teeth are present (hence knowing about the deformed one) or thy don't know (hence the comment re toothpaste). Our orthodontists won't accept referrals unless all of the correct radiographic views have been taken so that sounds odd.

It is a never event as it's wrong site surgery, same as amputating the wrong finger. However, has dd actually suffered long term "harm" from this? Short term, yes, your dentist sounds bizarre and this is weird. But, the chances are she would have lost the baby tooth at some point as there is an adult tooth below it. Unless the adult tooth is impacted in which case, that should be addressed as well due to the chances of cyst development.

It's very complex and there are several things which need clarifying, hopefully you'll get some answers soon.

[AllDirections]

I didn't know that any teeth could be re implanted Mrsmorton I'd never heard of it until yesterday. I hope the extracted teeth were all baby teeth or I won't be responsible for my actions! The dentist had the tooth pully out thingy on one of DD2's adult teeth at one point before realising that the baby tooth was behind it

I agree that it's all really confusing but I hope posters don't think that I'm confused. Everything that I've said is what has actually happened. I'll be checking which teeth have been removed with the orthodontist tomorrow and I'll make sure I get copies of all the paperwork. Then I'll be changing orthodontist as the practice obviously has business links with the dental practice and I've lost all trust in everyone involved.

[ajandjjmum]

What a dreadful thing for you to cope with AllDirections. And your poor DD.

DS was born with a cleft, and the orthodontist has retained one of his baby teeth (he's now in his 20's) and it's doing the job, so I can imagine how incensed you must be - quite rightly.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

The dentist had the tooth pully out thingy on one of DD2's adult teeth at one point before realising that the baby tooth was behind it

How were you able to see that? Or did the dentist start talking out loud and say that?

It all sounds totally bizarre - including teeth pinging on the ground.

Also - to put your mind slightly at rest - presumably DD would know if an adult tooth was accidently removed? Has she said she thinks one was?

I don't know - best to ingather the facts and take it from there. It just doesn't seen to add up and I think the orthodontist and the dentist should be given the chance to clarify what exactly they have done and why before you take any further decisions

[AllDirections]

The dentist had the tooth pully out thingy on one of DD2's adult teeth at one point before realising that the baby tooth was behind it

How were you able to see that? Or did the dentist start talking out loud and say that?

Both. I was right there with DD2 holding her hand. It was grim and that image will never leave my head. The dentist was also talking through it. When he had the implement on the adult teeth he stopped and checked the orthodontist's plan again before taking out the baby tooth behind it. Does a dentist automatically know which are baby teeth and which are adult teeth? DD2's mouth has been a mass of teeth for so long that she didn't/doesn't know what teeth are there.

It all sounds totally bizarre - including teeth pinging on the ground

The more that you all question things that happened the more I realise how dire the situation was. We'll know more tomorrow when I check which teeth have been removed. Hopefully they were all baby teeth which would mean that DD2 has no baby teeth left, 14 have been removed altogether and she's lost 6 naturally.

[AllDirections]

Gobbolino Which things don't add up the most?

[AgaPanthers]

This is why I don't trust NHS dentists, my local one is like this with my kids too all slapdash and hurried, presumably because he doesn't think the NHS pays them enough. He does adults privately and seems to think deigning to treat children is a favour.